Kippen de Alba Chu selected for his non-profit, international experience 

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (October 7, 2024) – Fort Worth Sister Cities International is pleased to announce the appointment of Kippen de Alba Chu as its next president and CEO, effective October 14, 2024. A search committee selected de Alba Chu for his experience in international relations and nonprofit leadership.

De Alba Chu will be responsible for Fort Worth Sister Cities’ operations, expanding its worldwide partnerships and furthering its mission of promoting understanding across borders through mutual respect and cooperation.

“Kippen de Alba Chu brings global experience that will enrich our organization and our community,” said Greg Jackson, chairman of the search committee and of the Fort Worth Sister Cities Board. “Our organization plays a vital role in connecting Fort Worth with the world and we are excited about where Kippen will take us in the future.”

De Alba Chu, a native of Hawaii, has led non-profits including the Iolani Palace, a National Historic Landmark in Honolulu and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, where he served as interim president and chief of staff. He is fluent in four languages.

De Alba Chu will succeed Mae Ferguson, who is retiring after 25 years of distinguished service to the organization.

“I thank Mae for her thoughtful and steady leadership over these 25 years,” Jackson said. During her tenure, Fort Worth added three international partners and Fort Worth was recognized as having the best Sister Cities program in the nation 11 times, more than any other city.

The Board of Directors is confident that de Alba Chu’s leadership will propel Fort Worth Sister Cities International into a new era of growth and international cooperation. He earned a B.A. in international business from The American University of Paris and an executive MBA in international business from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Fort Worth’s sister cities are Bandung, Indonesia; Budapest, Hungary; Guiyang, China; Mbabane, Eswatini; Nagaoka, Japan; Nîmes, France; Reggio Emilia, Italy; Toluca, Mexico; Trier, Germany. The organization is exploring a partnership with Calgary, Canada.

The organization offers youth education programs, international exchange opportunities for youth and adults as well as protocol training for businesses. For more information about Fort Worth Sister Cities International and its education programs for youth and adults, please visit www.fwsistercities.org.